Jalan Cheras flyover safe with no structural defects, says Works Minister

KUALA LUMPUR: No structural cracks have been detected on the Setiawangsa-Pantai Expressway (SPE) along Jalan Cheras and the route is safe to use, says Works Minister Datuk Seri Alexander Nanta Linggi.

“We are fully satisfied with the reports from experts who found no problems with the structure. I have checked it myself – there are no cracks not present as alleged and the road is safe to use,” he said.

Nevertheless, he said monitoring devices would be installed immediately on the flyover structure at Jalan Cheras as a proactive measure.

“Together with the Malaysian Highway Authority (MHA), we will continue to monitor the situation over the next few weeks for any sign of movement or cracks,” he said.

Nanta said this after inspecting the SPE flyover structure using a skylift, accompanied by MHA director-general Datuk Sazali Harun.

On Saturday (June 8), an X user expressed concerns over alleged cracks on the flyover based on two photos.

Nanta responded to the post and directed MHA and SPE concessionaires to conduct an immediate inspection. The ministry later issued a brief statement saying that investigations found only black lines which are construction joints from earlier concrete work.

The SPE, which fully opened on Nov 3 last year, features three-lane dual carriageways and seven flyovers.

It is is divided into four main sections: Kerinchi-Salak (Section 1), Salak-Pandan (Section 2), Pandan-Setiawangsa (Section 3) and Setiawangsa-Taman Melati (Section 4), covering a total distance of 20.7km.

It connects to several other highways, such as the Skim Penyuraian Trafik Kuala Lumpur Barat (SPRINT), the Ampang-Kuala Lumpur Elevated Highway (Akleh), the Duta-Ulu Kelang Expressway (DUKE), the Kuala Lumpur Middle Ring Road 2 (MRR2) and others to enhance network efficiency and reduce congestion in the capital. – BK